H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10296, 3 June 1919, Page 6

H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND

THE WELCOME WELLINGTON ARRANGEMENTS TO RECEIVE HER. A meeting was held in the Town Hall yesterday to considex’ the xxxatter of making aiTangenients for the reception of H.M.S. Now Zealand.

The Mayor (Mr J. P. Luke), who presided, said that all the citizens of Wellington were of the one opinion that a hearty welcome should be extended to the officers and men of the historic vessel. He had heal’d that the ship would be hero in July, and in connection with the welcome, tho Navy League, which had done good work throughout the Empire, would play a prominent part. While tho vessel was hero the Town Hall would be a kind of club-room for the crew. The children should do their part in the ’ matter, and Councillor T. Forsyth and Mr G. L. Stewart (the secretary of the Education Board) should he put on all committees. Mr J. G. Hai’kness, chairman of the Harbour Board, also should be added to the committees.

Mr R. Darroch thought that there should bo a- good committee set up to deal with the visit of children from outside Wellington. Mr J. G. Harkness, chairman of the Harbour Board, said that tho New Zealand would be tied up to tho outer berth of the King’s Wharf, - and the sheds would ho available forvthe entertainment of children, and these sheds being close to tho vessel, the young people could go straight aboard from thex-e.

The Mayor said also that it was intended to hold a ball in the Town Hall.

Mr B. Kccsing, chairman of the reception committee, said that olio of the chief things would ho. to arrange fpr as many small boats as possible to go out on the harbour and meet the vessel. Then there should be a big luncheon in the Town Hall. After that the Town Hall would become a kind of naval club, and dances and music would bo arranged for. The, New Zealand was said to have a good Soccor team aboard, and so it had been suggested to him that it would be a good idea to arrange a match between it and a Wellington representative team.

Mr Darroch thought that much could be done in the way of private entertainment, and Mrs Luke said that people whose homes were to be thrown open to the men might send their names to the committee. The following is tho finance committee:—Messrs J." B. : Harcpurt, C. It. Smith, James Macintosh, H. Beauchamp, A. F. Wiren, O. G. Wilson, A. F. Roberts, I. Duncan, ,W. D. Stewart, J. G. Harkness, and all bank managers.

The reception and entertainment committee is: Colonel Campbell, Lieutenant-Colonel- Roberts, : Captain Ohudlcy, Messrs R. Darroch, R. ,W. Shallcrass, J. B. Ha-rcourt, C., W. Chilman, B. M. A. Carr, A. A. Marryatt, -O. G. Wilson, H, E. Wood, ■H, F. von Haast, A. Newton, Bernard Page, A. B. Whyte, Captain H. Alunro, and W. E. Fuller.